By Craig Peters
EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings on Monday announced the signing of rookie tackle Chim Okorafor.
In order to make room for Okorafor on the roster, Minnesota waived tackle Jacky Chen, who had joined the team in May as an undrafted rookie free agent.
Okorafor was signed this spring by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted rookie out of Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. He was released by the Eagles on Aug. 8.
Okorafor earned NAIA All-American status in 2022 when he led the Benedictine Ravens offensive line's efforts. The group allowed just 12 sacks in 13 games.
The California native is 24. After attending Alta Loma High School, he played basketball for two seasons at Cal Poly Pomona before transferring to Riverside City Community College in 2019.
In 2020, he transferred to Missouri Southern State University, but that season was shortened by COVID-19.
The following year, Okorafor transferred to Pittsburg State. After one season with the Gorillas, Okorafor transferred to Benedictine.
He completed an undergraduate degree in biology while at Missouri Southern.
Number Change
The Vikings also announced the reassignment of a number. Rookie tight end Ben Sims will now wear No. 81, and newly signed veteran linebacker Tanner Vallejo will wear No. 49. The 81 had previously been worn this spring by Malik Knowles, an undrafted rookie on Injured Reserve.
